Mount for two-way responding reeds



Dec. 7, 1954 J. RuMoNosKl MOUNT FOR TWO-WAY RESPONDING REEDS Filed May 10 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l mmA rvlllll mw UI H 0 M J Dec. 7, 1954 .1. RQMoNosKl M OUNT FOR TWO-WAY RESPONDING REEDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1951 John Rumano ski IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 7, 1954 MOUN'E` FR TWO-WAY RESPONDING REEDS .lohn Rumonoski, Linden, N. J. Application May 10, 1951, Serial No. 225,526 7 Claims. (ci. :s4-36o) The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a readily applicable and removable reed unit having a two-way responding single reed which unit is expressly, but not necessarily, adapted for prac tical installation on a conventional rack in bellowsequipped accordions and the like.

lt is to be understood from the the stated unit may be aptly employed in any instrumentality where a precision air vibrated reed is used as the source of sound and tone production.

More specically, one phase of the over-all invention has to do with the reedV per se. In this connection, it is within the purview of the instant concept to provide individual highly sensitive reeds which lend themselves to feasible and practical use regardless of the register or octave` in which they are installed. That is to say, each and every reed employed in the over-all bank from the top of the treble side to the iinal reed of the bass side will be expressly contoured and precision-made to perform the pitch and tone function it must serve. It is therefore an object of the invention to produce precision reeds which are selectively made, each reed embodying a vibratory tongue or tang with an attaching head or the equivalent at one end. The tang may have its longitudinal edges dished, chamferedor otherwise contoured to decrease the width only at the median portion of the tongue; or, the top and bottom surfaces may be concaved or otherwise relieved to increase the sensitivity demand for this conditioned area of the tongue. Then, too, special reeds for the bass section or register which vibrate at a slower rate will have added weight means for the tip ends of the tongue to thus govern the response of the reeds to the blow and draw duly pressured air currents.

Novelty is, however, primarily predicated upon the individually made each characterized by a slotted block and companion reed. The stated block takes the form of a frame and is of elongated rectangular form and has a precision gaged and shaped slot in which the tongue of the reed is situated in order that the reed will vibrate properly and uniformly when the bellows is contracted and expanded, thus providing the significant two-way re sponse. The frame has a mount for the attachable end ofthe reed at one end, the opposite end may be and pre- Eerably is gradually thickened and bifurcated or otherwise slotted to provide unobstructed auxiliary air circulating orifices which communicate with the principal reed slot and with which the tip of the tongue coincides and in which position it responds, wholly without choking, both to and fro.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the vaccompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a top plan view showingv a fragmentary portion of the framework or so-called on which the 1ndividual reed units or cells are assembled and supported and shows one of the improved units mounted for operation on said rack;

Figure 2 is acentral longitudinal cross-section on the transverse line 2 2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the improved reed unit in elevation;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of onefof the reeds per se;

Figure 4 is a View like Figure 2 showing an especially outset, however, that designed air channel formed in one of the ller members of the rack;

Figure 5 is a top plan View of the reed unit appearing in Figures l, 2 and 4, removed, of course, from the rack; Figure 6 is a central longitudinal section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 is an end observing same in a ure 5 Figure 8 is a cross-section on the line 8 8 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan View of a different term of reed, showing how it is precision made to perform its given purpose in the over-all bank of reed units;

Figure l() is an edge elevation of the reed appearing in Figure 9; and

Figure ll is a view in edge elevation of a fragmentary type showing a reed with a weighted tip end, the type of reed used in the lower octave or bass section.

Referring now to Figure l, the framework or rack, which is conventional, is denoted by the numeral 12 and this embodies transverse longitudinally spaced and parallel supports or separators 14 on which the individual reed units or cells are collectively mounted. Fillers 16 are embodied in the rack and the filler 16 seen in Figure 2 has a channel 18 cooperating with the air passage 20. A slightly different filler is shown at 22 in Figure 4 wherein the channel is gradually shallowed, as at 24, to register' with the air inlet and outlet passage 2t). These features are of common construction and do not enter into the present invention except in a general complementary manner.

Each cell or reed unit comprises two parts; namely, the reed 26 on the one hand and the complemental block or frame 28 on the other hand. The frame is of aluminum, brass or any suitable material and, while it may be rectangular in side side elevation it is preferably of unique shape. Looking at it in side elevation, it is some times referred to as Y-shaped. In top plan it is a simple frame of elongated rectangular form. It is provided with a central elongated'primary air slot 30. The bottom surface is dat and extends in the same plane throughout and is denoted at 32; One end of the top is flat and constitutes what looks like an extension and this has a flat surface 34 which constitutes a mount for the reed. lt will be noted that there are shoulders at 36 and from this shoulder means toward the left, the frame is increased gradually in cross-sectional thickness, as at 38, and the extreme left hand portion is bifurcated to provide turcations 40 and 42 and an intervening V-shaped supple` mental slot means 44. The crotch of said supplemental slot means is denoted at 46. lt will be noted that the seat or vertex of said crotch 46 is in the same plane with the reed attaching mount 34,

The primary air slot 30 conforms in shape to the reed and hence each block and its pre-ga'ged and selected reed of required pitch must be precision made so that the marginal edges of the reed have a minimum of sweepclearance in respect to the surrounding walls of the slot, suicient to allow the vibratory tongue portion to respond to air entering said slot from either the top or bottom of the slot. The reed is perfectly at from end to end and the tongue portion is thus housed and actually resonated within the encompassing walls of said slot.

Eiforts have been made by others to provide individual 'free reed units or cells wherein the reed is intended to respond with the blow and draw air blasts or currents flowing against the reed in either direction. It is, however, the consensus of opinion that such adaptations do not function properly unless the air currents can escape freely through and from the primary slot means. If the column of air under pressure be impeded by trapping itself in the block or cell reed slot, the reed will vibrate momentarily (very weakly) and will choke itself and produce no tone whatsoever. It follows, therefore, that means must be provided to provide for unimpeded circulation and escape of air through or by way of the primary air slot 30. What with the incorporation and presence of supplemental air slot means 44, the required relief elevation of the improved reed unit drrectlon from left to right in Figof the substantially unchecked air flow is had. It will be clear, in this connection, that the tip of the reed tongue is normally in alignment with said air relief or supplemental slot means 44 and that the latter aiords communication between itself and the primary slot means 30 and maintains communication with the air and tone chamber of the accordion (not shown). These extra air iiow facilities make the improved reed unit sensitively and constantly actuable and responsive at all times. It will be evident, therefore, that the achievement herein revealed now solves the problem of how to construct two-way responsive single reed cells or units.

Not only does the inclined or slanting top of the new block reduce the weight and save material, it greatly simplifies the manufacturing cost, for a one-piece bifurcated form of block has been found to be the ideal method of manufacture. Also, the slant of the top terminates where it merges into the mount 34 and leaves the surface of the mount wholly uncovered and exposed for installing and changing reeds with expediency. In fact, the reed slides with requisite nicety into its slot 30, strikes the shoulder means 36 and is readily fastened in place. The head 4S and shoulder means cooperate in such a way that a single fastener 52 is adequate, as is obvious. This is therefore a fool-proof arrangement and a boon to the owner who attempts to handle his own reed replacement tasks, for the reed fits perfectly and no tuning is required.

Finally, it is to be explained that a bifurcated block is not absolutely essential for a block of rectangular crosssection from end to end might well do, just as long as extra or supplemental slot means 44 be provided to allow the air to flow through slot means 30 and then through the marginal edge portions of said block, this being the essence of the invention here.

The reed, generally speaking, and as shown at 26 in Figure 3, is approximately T-shaped in plan and therefore includes a rectangular attaching head 48 with a hole 50 for a fastener, for example, the headed fastener 52 in the drawing. There is also a tongue or tang 54 whose free or tip end is denoted at 56. The reed has its head portion seated on the mount and fastened thereto, as at 52, in such a manner that the head abuts the shoulder means 36. This locates and centers the tongue in proper relation in respect to the slot 30. The tongue substantially iills the slot but leaves an air space completely around the perimeter edges of the tongue. It is to be remembered that this tongue is intended to vibrate in both directions. This, in itself, is not new in reed unit construction. However, the reed in combination with the holder or adapter is new. It will be noted that the vertex of the crotch extends in from left to right sutiiciently far that the free vibratory tip end 56 projects well into the main area of the crotch 44. it follows that there is free flow at this area and the reed fiexes freely and responds in both directions as desired. Each unit is mounted on the block in the manner shown and is glued, waxed or otherwise secured in place as at 58.

As stated, it is within the purview of this invention to make each reed a precision instrument itself. That is to say, each and every position in the over-all bank of reeds is carefully worked out and a reed which is fitted -to that particular point of insertion or installation is expressly designed to the aforementioned manner. A few examples appear in Figures 9, 10 and 11. In the reed 6i?, the head 62 is apertured at 64 and is of an appropriate construction but the tang or tongue 66 is gradually narrowed and is said to be a tapered type reed. The tip here is thickened, as at 68, and the top and bottom surfaces are dished, as at 70. The relieved surfaces thus provided are identical on top and bottom as shown in edge elevation in Figure 10.

The reed in Figure ll is denoted at 72 and embodies a head 74 and hole 76. The tang or tongue is denoted at 78 and here again, the top and bottom surfaces 80 and 82 are gouged and relieved so that the center of the reed is comparatively thin. The tip end 84 is provided with an added weight S6 of proper size and shape and this cuts down the rate of response and adapts the particular reed for use in the lower octave or bass section. Thus, it is repeated, that the invention has to do with a reed unit comprising a suitable reed and an adapter frame therefor and, in addition, has to do with a plurality or collection of reeds in a complete reed bank, wherein each reed is precision-made to have the rate of vibration considered to be necessary for the spot in the bank occupied by that reed.

It is a matter of common knowledge to those familiar with reed racks in accordions that the reed blocks herein referred to are mounted in predetermined relative positions on the rack as shown, broadly, of course, in the drawings. It is also clear that it is the common practice to employ two vibrating tongues or reeds on each block and to align the reeds with the parallel slots, each reed being of identical construction and pitch. It is also common practice to protect each reed by a flap valve so that one may operate only by air currents moving in one direction and the other only by reverse movement of the air currents. This necessitates, of course, a multiplicity of reeds and the difficulty of maintaining equal pitch in the required two reeds in each set needlessly increases the total weight of the instrument. in the instant case, the provision of a single block with a primary center slot and supplemental side slots makes it possible to correctly utilize a single two-way responding reed in the block. There are no valves incorporated in the improved block as is evident and the auxiliary or supplemental slots afford communication between the main reed slot and expose the longitudinal edge portions of the tip portion of the reed or tongue to provide the requisite freedom of play of the reed and to avoid the aforementioned choking. The supplemental slots open into the space which is identified generally as the tone chamber of the accordion. It will be evident, therefore, that the essence of the invention has to do with these improved reed units each characterized by the specially shaped block with its main and auxiliary communicating air relief slot means seen in Figures l, 2, 4, and 5 to S, inclusive, of the drawin s.

git is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the iield of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. As a new article of manufacture, a reed block in the form of an elongated frame, said frame providing a reed accommodating slot and having a shouldered reed head seating mount at one transverse end of the slot, the opposite transverse end portion of said frame being bifurcated and providing spaced furcations, the spaces between said furcations providing supplemental air relief and circulating slots and the latter having constant communication with said reed slot.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a reed block in the form of an elongated frame, said frame providing a reed accommodating encompassing slot and having a shouldered reed head seating mount at one transverse end of the slot, that portion of the frame ranging from said shouldered mount clear to the opposite transverse end of the frame being gradually increased in cross-sectional thickness, and the thickest portion being formed with opening means communicating with said slot, and opening through the outer marginal surfaces of the block and affording communication with the surrounding space.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a reed block in the form of an elongated frame, said frame providing a reed accommodating slot and having a shouldered reed head seating mount at one transverse end of the slot, the top portion of the frame ranging from said shouldered mount to the opposite transverse end of the frame being gradually increased in cross-sectional thickness, and the thickest portion being bifurcated, and the furcations thus provided being in divergent relationship and defining an intervening V-shaped reed tongue vibrating space.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a reed block having a single reed accommodating slot opening through top and bottom sides of said block and having a shouldered reed head attaching means at one transverse end of the slot, the opposite end portion of said block having supplemental slot means communicating with said slot and opening through the vertical sides of said block, and a reed embodying a head and a vibratory tongue, said head abutting said shoulder means and being fastened, and said tongue projecting for free flexing into the slot and edge portions of said reed being exposed by way of said supplemental slot means.

5. As a new article of nanufacture, a reed block in the form of an elongated frame, said frame providing a reed accommodating slot and having a shouldered reed head seating mount at one transverse end of the slot, that portion of the frame ranging from said shouldered mount clear to the opposite transverse end of the frame being gradually increased in cross-sectional thickness, and the thickest portion being bifurcated, and a single reed having one end fastened to said mount, the opposite end of said reed being a vibratory tongue and being located for free two-way flexing and vibrating in said slot, the free end of said tongue having its tip portion projecting between the bifurcations of said frame.

As a new article of manufacture, an elongated frame, said frame providing a reed accommodating slot and having a shouldered reed head seating mount at one transverse end of the slot, that portion of the frame ranging from said shouldered mount clear to the opposite transverse end of the frame being gradually increased in cross-sectional thickness, and the thickest portion being bfurcated, and the furcations thus providing being in divergent relationship and dening an intervening V- shaped space means for a reed tongue, and a single reed having a head and a tongue, said head being secured to said shouldered mount and said tongue projecting into said slot and being in a plane with said mount, the free tip portion of said tongue intersecting the vertex of said space means and terminating inwardly of the terminal ends of said furcations.

7. As a new article of manufacture, an elongate reed block rectangular in cross-section and provided with a at bottom and an inclined top and flat spaced parallel longitudinal side portions, said block being provided with a lengthwise main reed accommodating an air circulating slot, at least one vertical side portion having supplemental slot means therein and said supplemental slot means having constant communication with said air slot, said supplemental slot means permitting the free circulation of air through the air slot and said supplemental slot means permitting the air to circulate unobstructedly either in or out in respect to said slot, and a single two-way responding reed mounted on said block and secured thereto by a single fastening at one end, said reed extending into said slot and having its marginal edge portions clear of the surrounding wall portions of the slot, the free end of said reed being situated opposite to said supplemental slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 233,038 Smith Oct. 5, 1880 246,098 Dowling Aug. 23, 1881 518,957 Janes May 1, 1894 1,985,102 Montenare Dec. 18, 1934 2,235,276 Beaver Mar. 18, 1941 2,274,375 Montenare Feb. 24, 1942 2,594,306 Hayslett Apr. 29, 1952 2,599,574 Montenare June 10, 1952 2,620,702 West et al Dee. 9, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 271,404 Italy Feb. 7, 1930 

